Google publishes Glass FAQ as latest round of invites wrap up

Google began sending out invitations for its #ifihadglass round of the Google Glass Explorer program, and though it has been a few weeks, some participants are still awaiting their invitations. Google posted a small update on its Google+ page today, saying that the program is coming to a close as the company begins looking at other ways to expand it. In light of some of the questions that have been raised as a result, Google has published some rather extensive Glass FAQ.

The FAQ illuminate on a handful of categories of questions that have been raised over Glass, including general inquiries, specifications, software, and security/privacy. The general questions address what we already know about the device: what it does, whether it covers the eye, and what the Glass explorer edition is. Beyond this, however, is a look at our technology culture and how Glass fits in it.

In particular, Google says that Glass will not make people more dependent on technology as some say, with the company pointing out that device is not augmented reality and that the screen is, by default, inactive. According to the company, feedback from users who have been wearing Glass find that “after several weeks” their overall technology use decreases due to the reported efficiency of how the device provides access to information.

Beyond that is an addressing of privacy and security concerns, with Google stating that it has been “thinking very carefully” about both areas throughout the device’s creation. Information, says the company, is kept safe and secure, and that worries over whether Glass is constantly taking images or recording videos is unfounded, pointing out that the battery life only facilitates 45 minutes of recording.

The FAQ go on to address the privacy concerns of non-users, face recognition, third-party data sharing, and the instances in which it has been banned by some locations. You can read the entire write up for yourself, but the gist of it is that users should not fear the new technology. This comes shortly after Google failed to reassure a Congressional committee that raised concerns on these topics.